SAN ANGELO, Texas – Donors were recognized during an Angelo State University ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday to officially debut 1st Community Credit Union Field and its new artificial turf at the LeGrand Sports Complex.

University officials as well as Chancellor Kent Hance of the Texas Tech University System  participated in the formal opening of the new $1.2 million field turf project, which was made possible by a generous contribution by 1st Community Federal Credit Union and private support from Larry C. Clark, the San Angelo Health Foundation and an anonymous donor. 

ASU President Brian J. May said, "While 1st Community Credit Union Field will benefit our athletes, it would not have been possible without a team effort led by 1st Community Federal Credit Union.   Joining 1st Community in this effort were Larry C. Clark, the San Angelo Health Foundation and a donor who prefers to remain anonymous.  We want to thank them for their generosity and publicly acknowledge the impact their gifts will have on the athletes participating on our Angelo State football and track and field teams.  It is appropriate that this new facility is named 1st Community Credit Union Field because it was a community effort that made it possible."

Hellas Construction, Inc. installed a new Matrix® Turf field and epiQ TRACKS™ track system. The pole vault and long/triple jump runways were moved to the outside of the track. A new shot put ring and high jump apron were also installed and the javelin runway was moved to the upper practice field.

"I think it is a great day that we will play at least one football game a year on Angelo State's campus," said Hance. "It allows our students to feel like they are more involved and the atmosphere is going to be loud. This is a great artificial turf. It is going to be a big plus for Angelo State. With the drought it made it impossible to keep all of the fields watered.  1^st Community Federal Credit Union and San Angelo Health Foundation are to be congratulated for their efforts."

The 1^st Community Credit Union Field is the first athletic venue at ASU to have turf installed.

"1^st Community Credit Union has a long standing tradition of supporting Angelo State University," said Bill Nikolauk, President and CEO of 1^st Community Federal Credit Union. "We have purchased scoreboards, sponsored games, served on boards and contributed to scholarships. We are extremely proud to assist ASU in making a long-time dream become a reality – football on campus! The new 1^st Community Credit Union Field was available for practice on October 8^th.   You could see the excitement in both the players and coaches as they stepped on to the new turf.  It is our hope that this will help jumpstart additional contributions to Angelo State Athletics."

The field will also be used by other athletic teams as well as intramurals and other student activities.

"This is a fantastic day for ASU Athletics," ASU Director of Athletics Sean Johnson said. "It's a great example of a dream becoming a reality and this is just the beginning."